Rock News
Vedder Croaks In Sydney Post by: Eddie Ruckus - Rockin' Blogger 23 November, 2009 - 9:08 AM
After an epic show in Melbourne on Friday night, Pearl Jam had a much harder time of it in Sydney last night as Eddie Vedder fell victim to a flu and lost his voice by the end of the gig.
Vedder was obviously very unwell and the show was cut short by several songs as the singer had a spew and a lie-down as the rest of the band picked up the slack during the second encore with a cover of “Crazy Mary”.
Vedder then came back to the mic and again apologised for being sick, explaining that he received a lot of great gifts in Melbourne but then “then some f**ker gave me the flu bug”.
He also told fans the band would knock 20 bucks off the price of tickets next time they’re in town [and you know they’ll be good for it, don’t ya.]
Despite his sickness, Vedder typically gave it his all, giving fans an unforgettable show on a ridiculously hot Sydney night.
Earlier in the night, support act Ben Harper marked the 12th anniversary of Michael Hutchence’s death with a cover of “Never Tear Us Apart”.
Were you at the Melbourne or Sydney show? Tell us – how was it?
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Kris says
I will never watch them again. It was terrible.
You have the flu 2 options - re-schedule or change your setlist to include to more known songs earlier instead of at the end.
How can you see Pearl Jam and not hear any of Alive, Better Man, Jeremy, Daughter or Black?
Posted Monday 23 November, 2009 9:49 AM -
kez says
i agree with kris to a degree.. but i will watch them again..
if ur going to do a 1 show in each city tour then play the songs that got you there.. black.. jeremy.. alive.. daughter.. betterman.. animal.. last kiss.. spin the black circle.. i am mine.. worlwide suicide.. where were they?..
i was also disappointed not to hear their new single just breathe.. it's a classic love song that all should hear..
get well soon ed.. and come back to Sydney soon and kris don't give up on them im sure the flu restricted ed from certain songs and they will def make up for it next time.. im just hoping i dont have to wait another 3 years to see them:)...
i must add their new material off backspacer sounds great live.. got some.. the fixer and unthought known rocked.
Posted Monday 23 November, 2009 10:58 AM -
jt says
Fantastic show, if he hadn't said he had the flu I wouldn't have known until the end.. he gave it loads.
Shame not to hear Alive, but i'll live.
Don't listen to the drama queens, was a great night !!
Harper and Vedder duo .. \o/
Posted Monday 23 November, 2009 11:01 AM -
pat says
loved the show, musically perfect, band played well, eddie suffered with a bad voice but none the less gave it a good go.
for $130 i expected decent sound. fair enought the stadium sound won't be perfect but what the hell was the work experience kid doin' on the sound desk!!!
the peanut set very poor levels for all of ben harper's set, and even when he came back on with eddie he set it again at the same level where you had to strain to hear him.
The guy clearly turned down the keyboard during a 5 min solo only to turn up mcreedy playing rhythm guitar, then as they were trading 8's you could only hear the guitar.
sorry but that is appalling for the amount of money that you pay. long solos throughout the set were continually missed or not turned up until they were half done.
The SFS sound guys should be appalled, when are we going to get some talented musicians mixing for them.
Posted Monday 23 November, 2009 11:03 AM -
Janet Gray says
I am surprised at some of the comments I have heard this morning that show disappointment about the gig last night. Eddie Vedder & Pearl Jam despite his not feeling well gave a rock hard performance and covered some great early songs.
If he always plays Alive & Betterman then we would not hear other great tunes. Pearl Jam are the greatest Rock Band on the planet and confirmed this last night. Well done.
Posted Monday 23 November, 2009 11:07 AM -
Nels says
I thought it was a ripper of a show. I haven't heard Pearl Jam live before outside of live recordings and youtube.
I agree that the sound was a bit of a mess at times but the band gave it there all.
Loved it how the band just jammed to give Eddie a bit of a break rather than take time between songs. Although I think even that pushed the length of the concert out to past the cut of time due to noise restrictions.
But even though Eddie wasnt 100% he put in 110% effort for what he had.
Posted Monday 23 November, 2009 12:02 PM -
Kris says
Kez, I was waiting for Breath also nothing.
I get he was sick but they played 30 or so songs. Why not mix up with the new and the old instead of a "normal' setlist only to not make it through and leave people disappointed. They played for 2 hours as it was if they played their hits people would of been happy.
But to not play them and play lesser known songs instead made no sense especially for $130. You pay that because they provide you with hits for 20 odd years but yet don't play 20 years worth of music.
Not new songs with a few lesser known songs.
Posted Monday 23 November, 2009 12:06 PM -
Ed says
This was my 3rd PJ concert since 1995, and enjoyed it the most!
The setlist was strong from the start to the end. I reckon the SFS was the best place bar none to see a band of this calibre and they did not disappoint. However if you paid $130 to hear 3 songs, well I can see you would be disappointed, but not me.
It was ace, hot, sweaty and 5 hours of pure entertainment from fantastic musicians from Liam Finn right through to the mighty Pearl Jam. Hope you come back soon !!!!!
Posted Monday 23 November, 2009 12:07 PM -
Dave says
Having seen Pearl Jam every time they've come to Australia I have to admit it was refreshing to hear them do some more obscure songs - How good was it to hear "Hail Hail"???!
I totally get what everyone is saying, but Pearl Jam aint no ordinary - and the best thing about them is that they always do what they want.
Posted Monday 23 November, 2009 12:38 PM -
D2 says
For those living in the TEN days, get over it! Pearl Jam have so many songs, the concert could have gone to 10 hours. You can't always have Jeremy or Alive, but Even Flow always rocks!!!
As for the guy walking out swearing and carrying on saying he'd rather see Kylie or Danni or even Guy Sebastian or Shannon Noll than Pearl Jam... it's people like you who don't buy their new records, who are not true fans and can't appreciate the brilliance of Pearl Jam!!! Go back to 1991 Loser.
Posted Monday 23 November, 2009 12:54 PM
